Hertz
A unit for expressing frequency which is the number of times a wave-like radio signal changes from maximum positive to maximum negative charge per second. 1 Hz = 1 cycle per second. 1 kilohertz (kHz) = 1,000 Hz; 1 megahertz (MHz) = 1,000 kHz or 1,000,000 Hz; 1 gigahertz (GHz) = 1,000 MHz or 1 million kHz or 1 billion Hz. AMPS (analog) cellular phones in Canada and the US use the 800 MHz band. Digital phones use either the 800 MHz or 1900 MHz (or 1.9 GHz) frequencies. Specifically, CDMA and TDMA use either 800 or 1900 MHz; iDEN uses only 800 MHz; GSM uses only the 1900 MHz spectrum in North America. GSM uses 900, 1800, and/or 1900 MHz on other continents.
HDML
A modification of standard HTML for use on small screens of mobile phones, PDAs, and pagers. HDML is a text-based markup language, which uses HyperText Transfer Protocol [HTTP] and is compatible with Web servers.
HTML
An authoring software language used on the Web. HTML is used to create Web pages and hyperlinks.
HTTP
The protocol used by the Web server and the client browser to communicate and move documents around the Internet.
Airtime
Actual time spent talking on your cellular telephone.
ASCII
Code used by computer and data communication systems for translating characters, numbers, and punctuation into digital form. ASCII characters can be recognized by computer and communications devices using a variety of applications.
TDMA
Time Division Multiple Access. TDMA divides frequency bands available to the network into time slots, with each user having access to one time slot at regular intervals. TDMA thereby makes more efficient use of available bandwidth than the previous generation AMPS technology.
Tri-Band
A phone which can operate on three bands, typically a GSM phone operating on 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 1900 MHz.
UMTS
Universal Mobile Telephone System
Voice Channel
The channel assigned by the switch to commence the
call on after the exchange of subscriber data.
VoIP
Voice over IP
W-CDMA
Wideband CDMA, a 3G evolutionary path for GSM and TDMA technology. Wideband Code-Division Multiple-Access (W-CDMA) is one of the main technologies for the implementation of third-generation (3G) cellular systems. It is based on radio access technique proposed by ETSI Alpha group and the specifications was finalised 1999.
Roaming
The ability to use cellular phone outside home service area and make calls seamlessly without operator intervention.
SID
System Identification. A five-digit number that indicates which service area the phone is in. Most carriers have one SID assigned to their service area.
SIM Card
A small memory card used in GSM phones to hold phone
numbers and other information. SIM card can be removed and inserted into other GSM phones, allowing user to place and receive phone calls.
SMS
Short Message Service. A method of delivering a short (160 characters) message to your digital cellular phone.
TACS
Total Access Communications System
TCP
Transmission Control Protocol
PHS
Personal Handy Telephone System (Japan)
PIN
Personal Identification Number
QoS
Quality of Service
Registration
The procedure that a cellular phone initiates to a base station to indicate that it is now active.
